PETER RANSCOMBE

ANTI-TERRORISM powers would allow Scottish police to detain suspects for up to seven days during the G8 summit, it emerged yesterday.

Tayside Constabulary will be the first police force in Scotland to be allowed access to the special powers under the Terrorism Act [2000].

Section 44 of the act gives officers the power to stop and search anyone they consider may pose a security threat, with section 43 allowing them to hold suspects for a period of up to seven days. Specially built cells in Glasgow could be used to house detainees. Army bases in the area, which have been earmarked as detention centres, may also be employed.

The Tayside force will have access to a "spy in the sky" balloon stationed over Gleneagles. The balloon - armed with cameras and infra-red viewing equipment for night-time monitoring - will help police identify potential trouble makers at the site.

The grounds of the Gleneagles Hotel, which is hosting the summit, will be sealed off while the G8 leaders are meeting at the resort.

Commenting on the anti-terrorism powers, John Scott, a defence lawyer and the chairman of the Scottish Human Rights Centre, said: "This would be extremely controversial. It would represent an easy way for the police to deal with some people they suspect of being troublemakers and keep them out of circulation for the duration of the G8.

"Even David Blunkett, when he was the home secretary, said he had concerns about this legislation. The police already have ample powers without resorting to this."

Chief Superintendent Brian Powrie, of Tayside Constabulary, said the "spy in the sky" balloon would be a great asset for police during the meeting.

Army bases - including Redford and Dreghorn Barracks and the bases of the 51 Scottish Regiment and the 2nd Division - have been earmarked as holding camps if thousands of protesters are arrested during the Gleneagles summit.

Meanwhile, the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service is calling on Scots to donate an extra 20,000 pints of blood ahead of the summit in case protests turn violent.

The service is not expecting trouble but wants to keep supplies at optimum levels.